Teacher Profile
Living the Dream
Teachers College. Her daughter eventually opted
to enroll at Harvey Mudd College.
Her office walls clad in framed diplomas, Diana
Martelly’s Columbia University credentials feature Her return to school helped lift the veil for Dr.
front and center. She earned her Bachelor's and Martelly into the university admissions process
Master's degrees in Math Education from Florida as she developed a sound appreciation for cur-
International University and also completed rent college application requirements and the
her Doctorate in Adult Education and Human demands upon students in readying themselves
Resources Management there. In 2015, she earned for university and campus life. “I often share my
a Master’s degree in Private School Leadership personal experience with our high school students
from Columbia University's Teachers College. emphasizing that I've just gone through the appli-
cation process myself and therefore can relate
A 2012 USA college tour with her daughter inspired
with the pressures, highlights and low points they
Dr. Martelly to chase her dream and return to might be experiencing and what is expected of
school. Having pursued her previous degrees while them,” she said.
also working, Dr. Martelly had always wanted to
soak in full-time college life. “I had always worked
while studying for my BS, MS and doctorate and
Wonders of Education
never got to enjoy the vibrant learning atmo-
sphere full-time students experience. And so I As Head of High School at Keystone, Dr. Martelly
felt a desire to return to school,” Dr. Martelly said, also teaches mathematics. A teacher at heart,
her eyes fixated on the framed Teachers College she enjoys the combination of directing the high
degree. “I was after getting a taste of full-time school and being in the classroom. “From a young
student life, complete with living on campus and age, I was interested in helping others understand
busying myself exclusively with learning.” things. So I wanted to be a teacher for most of my
life,” she explained.
With thirty years of experience in education under
her belt at schools across the globe and a second- Over the span of her career, Dr. Martelly has
ary school principal at an international school worked in public, private and international schools
in Nigeria at the time, she pursued her ambition and universities. During 11 of those years, she
and sent off university applications together with worked in IB World Schools as a math teacher, an
her daughter. “It’s never too late to follow your IBDP examiner, and a Creativity, Activity, and
dreams,” she offered. Service (CAS) coordinator. This vast teaching
experience has gifted her with the ability to keep a
Soon after an acceptance letter for her daughter
long-term perspective on education and observe
and a rejection for Dr. Martelly hit their mail- the profound impact it can have on life. "People
box, the tides changed with good news for both say that as you grow older, you increasingly
mother and daughter. Within the span of one become ‘jaded by reality’. For me, the contrary is
week, her daughter received a letter of acceptance true,” she offered, revealing an infectious smile.
from MIT and Dr. Martelly got to open one from
Harvard University. The acceptance letter from
“I have grown more idealistic with age, because I
have so often seen miracles in education."
Columbia University soon followed, complete with
a Klingenstein Center Leadership Grant, which Dr. Martelly has taught students from a wide vari-
helped tip the decision scale in favor of Columbia’s ety of backgrounds, some very privileged and
The Keystone Magazine 45